After Ravana tricked and kidnapped Sita, he soared through the sky in his magic flying chariot. Sita cried out for help with all her might, hoping someone would hear.

Flying nearby, high above the trees, was Jatayu, the mighty king of birds. Jatayu was no ordinary bird — he was a huge but very old vulture.

Hearing Sita's desperate cries, Jatayu swooped down and blocked Ravana’s path with his giant wings.

He thundered, "Stop, Ravana! How dare you kidnap Sita? I will not let you pass!"

Sita, seeing Jatayu, felt a flicker of hope. "O noble bird! Please save me!"

Jatayu knew he was old and not as strong as before but his heart was filled with courage.

Ravana sneered and laughed, "Old bird, move aside if you value your life!"

But Jatayu stood proudly in front of him.

"I may be old," he said, "but I will protect Sita with my last breath!"

With a loud screech, Jatayu attacked! His sharp claws scratched Ravana’s armor, and his strong wings battered the chariot. Ravana roared in anger and fought back with his sword.

The battle raged in the skies above the forest! Jatayu bit, clawed, and struck bravely. For a moment, it seemed the mighty bird might win. But Ravana, using his powerful sword, finally wounded Jatayu terribly. His wings were slashed, and he fell spinning down from the sky.

As Jatayu crashed into the forest, Sita cried out, "O brave Jatayu! I will never forget your courage!"

Ravana, wounded but still determined, sped away toward Lanka, with Sita as his prisoner.

Later, Rama and Lakshmana came rushing back to the empty hut and saw Sita was gone. Rama's heart filled with fear.

"Sita! Sita! Where are you?" Rama called out desperately.

They searched the forest until they found Jatayu, lying wounded under a great tree. Rama knelt beside him and gently asked, "O noble bird, what happened? Where is Sita?"

With his last strength, Jatayu whispered, "Ravana... took her... south... I tried... but I could not stop him..."

Tears filled Rama’s eyes. He stroked Jatayu’s feathers and said, "You fought bravely for Sita. You are like a father to me. I will always honor you."

As Rama spoke, Jatayu smiled softly and took his final breath. His spirit rose up, free and shining, and soared into the heavens.

Rama and Lakshmana built a beautiful funeral for Jatayu right there, treating him with the greatest respect, like a mighty king.

And so, Jatayu’s bravery lived on — a shining example of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice for what is right. Even today, the world's largest bird sculpture is dedicated to Jatayu. The sculpture is located at Jatayu Earth Centre in Kerala's Kollam district.